Tube closure



Dec. 10 1929. I w s 1,739,303

TUBE CLOSURE Filed March 3, 1927 INVENTOR.

(gear-g: Ha /fins.

/ ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 10, 1929 cnomn mwx'ms, or 'nncrnorr, MICHIGAN TUBE CLOSURE Application filed larch 8, 1927. Serial No. 172,276.,-'

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a tube closure adapted particularly for use on tubes in which paste or other material is ejected from an outlet opening.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tube closure of this class which may be permanently mounted on the tube and easily and quickly moved to position for permitting. the outlet of the material and moved to position for closing the tube against escape of the material therefrom.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tube closure of this class which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture and highly eflicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tube closure of this class which will be self cleaning'so that material ejected 2 from the tube, particularly material of apasty consistency, will be entirely removed from the tube upon the movement of the closure to operative position.

Another object of the invention is the pro-- vision of a tube closure having an outlet opening normally out of alignment with the outlet opening of the tube. 7

Another object of the invention' is the provision of an engaging surface on the tube 80 closure adapted to engage the tube adjacent its outlet opening and making a sealin connection and preventing the escape 0 any material from the tube.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. The inventionconsists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter de scribed and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by' a reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tube em-.

bodying the invention, showing the closure removed. a

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical, sectional view of theinvention applied to a tube showing it in open position and with some of the mat rial projecting therefrom. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig.2 with the excess of the material wiped from the'tube closure.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the closure moved to closing position.

' Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing 5 the closure in closed position and the excess material removed therefrom.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the closure moved to closed position immediately after ejection of the material from the tube.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 2.

I have illustrated the invention applied to a paste tube 11 having a neck 12 which is closed at its upper end and provided with perforations 13 to provide outlet openings for the paste. This is a quite common form of collapsible tube in which paste of various kinds such as tooth paste, shaving cream, pigments, oils, greases, etc. are merchandised. The marginal portion of the tube 14 of the neck 12 is tapered. The upper portion 15 of the neck 12 is formed of smaller diameter than the portion 16 which is threaded. A cup shaped cap 16 is adapted 7 for threading on the threaded portion 16', the ortion 18 of this cap being of smaller insi e diameter than the portion threaded on the threaded portion 16. In this way the portion 15 of the neck 12 is snugly engaged by the portion 18 of the cap and a shoulder 19 is provided against which engages a small gasket or washer 20. The base 21 of the cup shaped cap which may be termed the top of' the cap-is provided with a central opening 22, the upper surface being inclined inwardly at this opening as shown clearly in the sectional views. The inner surface of the base 21 projecting outwardly from the opening 22 1S tapered to correspond with the taper of the surface 14 so that when the cap is threaded on to the neck as shown in Figs. 4,

5, and 6, a tight engagement with the surface 14 and the tapered inner surface of the base 21 is efiected. It will be noted that the neck 12 is perforated around its center, the center thereof being closed so that no registration of the openings 13 with the o ning 22 is possible while the cap is threadefin the neck.

After the cap has been threaded on the neck, its edge is crimped so that a removal of the cap from the neck is prevented. In order to effecta removal of the material from the tube after the cap has been crimped in position, the cap is unthreaded slightly to provide a space between the base of the cap and the upper end of the neck. By collapsing the tube 11, the paste or other material-in the tube will be ejected through the outlet open ings l3 and striking the inner surface of the base 21 will, on account of the incline of the surface, be directed outwardly through the central opening 22. When suflicient has been pressed from the container, the cap may then be threaded tightly on to the neck as shown in Fig. 6 and the projecting material 23 removed as desired, either by depositing the same on the brush, on the hand, or other object.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the invention ap plied to a tube from which the projecting material has been wiped before threading the cap on to the tube. It will be noted that there is left, covering the upper end of the neck and lying between the same and the base 21,

a layer 24 of the material pressed from the tube. When the cap is threaded on to the neck firmly, the layer 24 will be projected outwardly as at 25 in Fig. 4 so that the cap, cooperating with the neck, serves to effect a thorough cleaning of the outer portion of the neck andleave all of the parts free from any clinging material which may have been projected from the tube. This prevents an accumulation of any deteriorated material outside of the tube as all of the material which, pressed from the tube, is rendered accessible to the user. This is a desirable feature as it prevents an unsatisfactory accumulation of attractive appearance.

By threading the cap down close on the neck, the outlet openings are sealed so that evaporation or other disintegrating processes of the material in the tube is reduced to a minimum.

. By having the cap permanently fastened on the neck, its displacement is, of course, prevented and an undesired ejection of material from the tube eliminated as the cap is always in position to serve its purposes.

' I have shown the neck provided with a plurality of openings as an outlet passage for the material in the tube,

obvious that slots or similar openings may be provided. The cap has been shown cylindrical in formation but it is also believed obvious that the particular exterior shape of the cap is of little importance.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of my invention, I do not structure shown, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come 05 within the scope of the appended claims.

the material and leaves the tube in its original WlSh to limit myself to the precise details of said cap tapering toward the outlet opening in said cap, the outer surface of the top 0 said cap being inclined inwardly toward the opening formed therein.

2. A tube closure, comprising a cup shaped cap, the base thereof having an opemng formed therein and the inner and outer surfaces thereof tapering outwardly from said opening to provide a wedge-shaped structure in cross section.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing speclfication.

. GEORGE HAWKINS.

but it is believed ioo 

